Shampoos: Ingredients, Efficacy, and Adverse Effects

Shampoos, commonly used for hair and scalp treatment, are expected to provide both cleansing and cosmetic benefits, and are tailored to individual hair types, ages, and specific scalp conditions. A shampoo typically contains 10 to 30 ingredients, including surfactants for cleansing, conditioning agents for imparting desirable hair qualities, special care ingredients, and additives. The formulation of shampoos involves a blend of surfactants to meet the needs of different hair types, and the development process can exceed a year. Conditioning agents are a key focus of development, aiming to enhance hair luster, smoothness, volume, and buoyancy, while maintaining a scalp free of scaling. Anti-dandruff shampoos primarily target the microbial growth of Malassezia spp., with recent advancements improving the efficacy of these agents, reducing the required contact time, and minimizing irritation.